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    There are [46] photos and [130] stories tagged with "japan".

    Surrounded by beautiful ocean, Okinawa is an island paradise and the way of life is inherently peaceful. 命どぅ宝 (nuchidu takara) is a common saying in the Okinawan language that means One 92 year old woman couldn't attend the protest due to a bad leg. To show her support she filled a rubbish bag with candy, which her friend gave to fellow protesters to keep them energized in the hot and humid summer sun. by: jessewhitehead Views[412] The local elders are some of the strongest opponents of the U.S military presence in Okinawa. Many seniors were alive to experience the Battle of Okinawa, in 1945, which killed a quarter of the civilian population and was the starting point of USA's military build up of Okinawa. A group of elders have been peacefully protesting outside the Henoko site every day for over 10 years. by: jessewhitehead Views[521] Children play in the waters of Oura bay, while protesters take to kayaks in an attempt to block sea drilling. The new base at Henoko is set to become one of the largest in Asia, with a double v-shaped runway extending 200 meters into the ocean. Many people are worried that it will significantly impact an area that is renowned for its natural beauty, and pristine coral reefs that are an important habitat for sea turtles and the endangered dugong. by: jessewhitehead Views[393] An activist outside the construction site of a new U.S. military base addresses a crowd of over 5,000 protesters. Okinawa is Japan's southernmost prefecture and although it only makes up 0.6% of Japan`s total land mass it houses 75% of the country's U.S. military base presence. The newest base is currently under construction in Henoko, Northern Okinawa, as part of a relocation deal to close down the controversial Futenma Air Station in the densely populated Ginowan City. However, many Okinawans are opposed to the plan and want the base moved out of the prefecture altogether. Mr. Onaga, a strong opponent of the relocation plan won the recent prefectural elections by a significant margin campaigning on an anti-base platform. by: jessewhitehead Views[408]
     
    Maiko's like Geisha's are in demand and appointments must be adhered to. As soon as an allotted appointment is finished the Maiko or Geisha will escort her guests to a downstairs bar, she will ensure the room is cleared and her guests are being looked after. Once she has ensured her guests are happy,she will say her final farewells before putting on her Geta's and quickly making her way to her next appointment. by: 2630ben Views[2250] A Maiko or Geiko's job does not end if a guest needs to go to the bathroom. The Maiko is required to converse with the client as he carries out his business. She must make him feel welcome and privileged at all times. This also means she must monitor proceedings in the room. A Maiko will usually position herself so she can ensure everyone is having a great time. If conversation dwindles whilst she is occupied she will order up a new round of drinks. She will suggest a game for the clients to play while they wait for everybody to return to the room. by: 2630ben Views[2373] Entertaining guests is a Geiko's or Maiko's job. Knowing and mastering a number of games to lighten the mood of a tense business meeting is only a small art the Maiko's have to learn. As conversation continues Toshisumi will entertain herself with one of her games. If she senses a lull in proceedings or if tempers are running high she will interject and begin playing a game with a guest. A few drinks will follow before the guests are allowed back to their conversations or back to business. by: 2630ben Views[2528] To welcome and relax her clients Toshisumi performs a short welcoming dance. This short performance keeps her guests entertained whilst the tea house staff prepare and deliver everybody their drinks. Each Maiko will practice one form of dance and each form is a narration of an ancient Japanese tale. Only once the Maiko has perfected a dance is she allowed to move onto a more detailed and evocative dance. by: 2630ben Views[2610] As we entered the room we were greeted by Toshisumi. Elegantly presented she welcomes her clients with a smile and a shallow bow of her head. Maiko's or apprentice Geiko's (commonly known as Geisha's) are required to greet their clients from a sitting position. As they are not true masters of the Geiko arts they are not allowed to greet the guests at the tea house door. by: 2630ben Views[2621]
     
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    First step

    USA | Wed, 9 Jan 2019 | By trinity773 | Views [324]

    Well I finially did it....I took the plunge and made the reservations for my very first trip. Well, I guess I can say Its the first thing I will do in my life. Ah...I am so excited and a little nervous to be going. I kept procrastinating I thought I ... Read more >

    Tags: first trip, japan

    The Onsen in the storm

    JAPAN | Mon, 30 Jul 2018 | By chloebruce | Views [491]

    It has rained all day today. Being the UK that shouldn’t be even worthy of mention, but it is the relieving cleanse of heavy rain after an uneasy prolonged heatwave, so with relief I say, it has rained all day today. Whenever it rains now, I mean ... Read more >

    Tags: arashiyama, female empowerment, japan, kyoto, onsen

    Mind & Zen Practice at Eiheiji

    JAPAN | Wed, 23 Aug 2017 | By alanlessik | Views [797]

    It’s 3:10 am and I wake by the bell loudly clanging in the hallway. The light switch is flipped on and the room full of men becomes alive. By the time I have rubbed my eyes, stretched on my futon and manage to get up, a full minute has passed. ... Read more >

    Tags: eiheiji, japan, meditation, zen

    Awaji-Shima. Small Island - Big Dreams.

    JAPAN | Mon, 17 Jul 2017 | By lan | Views [1275] | Comments [1]

    “Culture hides more than it reveals, and strangely enough what it hides, it hides most effectively from its own participants.” Edward T. Hall. I have never been quite content to travel to a destination, take a snap shot and leave with ... Read more >

    Tags: art, culture, dream, expat, explore, island, japan, ocean, relocate, travel

    From Where We Left Off...

    USA | Wed, 9 Nov 2016 | By schmodude | Views [655]

    About two years have passed from where we left off and much has happened. My last post had me running through the morning grind from my friend’s place in Wilhelmsburg to the airport back to the US. I left saying I would be traveling the US on my ... Read more >

    Tags: adventure time!, grad school, hawaii, japan, job, move, ohio, pittsburgh, san diego

    Original Japanese Haiku Poems About My Trip so Far

    JAPAN | Thu, 7 Jul 2016 | By nickyb | Views [499]

     23/06 Hiroshima bound Traveling though the forests Adventures await.    23/06 Walking though the rain  Beautiful streets of Japan  Tell me your secrets.    Your souls rest in peace ... Read more >

    Tags: city, fukuoka, hiroshima, japan, kaiku, poems, travel

    Cherry Blossom Daze - Springtime in Japan

    JAPAN | Sat, 2 Jul 2016 | By gemma_laing | Views [770]

    I had spent many days pondering what it might be like. Crazy, funky, cool? Weird...that's probably the best word I can use to describe Japan.  An eclectic contrast between modern concepts and traditional customs. People say you have to ... Read more >

    Tags: cherry blossom, japan, on the road

    Behind The Plastic Curtain - Authentic Street-side Dining in Japan.

    JAPAN | Mon, 20 Jun 2016 | By angelica | Views [1914]

    Identified by their plastic curtains, simple, single line stool- to-counter seating plans, and street-side locations; semi-outside ramen bars are a symbol of fast food dining in Japan, and an absolute must-have experience for anyone visiting the country ... Read more >

    Tags: dining, experience, food, japan, ramen, street food

    Just a Rainy Sunday in Osaka...

    JAPAN | Sun, 12 Jun 2016 | By angelica | Views [614]

    It's Sunday evening - the second official Sunday of this year's rainy season  in Japan ,and I'm currently sat on my balcony listening to the rain crash down onto the streets surrounding my apartment building.    At lunchtime today, ... Read more >

    Tags: asia, everyday life, japan, osaka, rainy season, relaxation

    Travelling in Kyoto with a baby: Maybe don't do it

    SINGAPORE | Sat, 4 Jun 2016 | By cisoux | Views [1246]

    Well this blog has certainly not lived up to its name. But now I have a new impetus to write about my travels - my son Nayel. Especially since we have just taken our first trip together, and I (and LY) want to remember as much of it as possible because, ... Read more >

    Tags: japan, kids, kyoto

    Tokyo's newest animal cafe - hedgehogs!

    JAPAN | Sat, 16 Apr 2016 | By kurenai | Views [626]

    There has been a lot of interest in the newly opened hedgehog café in Tokyo. I figured while I was in the area I should see what all the fuss was about. Harry is on the second floor of Ms.Bunny, the rabbit café, in Roppongi. It is incredibly ... Read more >

    Tags: animal cafe, hedgehog cafe, hedgehogs, japan, tokyo

    Here we Go Again

    JAPAN | Fri, 15 Jan 2016 | By kakimono | Views [467]

    If I could do do things all over again, I probably wouldn’t have chosen to go directly from Paris to Japan, or at least not directly from finals in Paris to the start of my next program in Japan with only an extended weekend for a break. However, ... Read more >

    Tags: airplane, airport, housing, japan, moving, passport, visa

    Konichiwa!

    JAPAN | Sat, 17 Oct 2015 | By garlicpress | Views [255]

    Endlich wieder bin ich heute in Japan angekommen, genauer im Stadtteil Asakusa in Tokyo. Als Reisebegleiterin ist S. dabei - das erste Mal in Japan.  Trotz guter Reise waren wir beide recht müde und so sind wir 'nur' im Quartier durch die ... Read more >

    Tags: japan, tokio

    TOKYO: Meeting Chatou & Chasing Cherry Blossoms

    JAPAN | Fri, 24 Apr 2015 | By vivi_and_robrob | Views [1338] | Comments [2]

    Hello, Helo, Hola and Konnichiwa! We are here in Japan and loving it, here are a few of the things that have happened so far.. Walking like a zombie pack horse from the redeye flight from Colombo, Sri Lanka, towards the immigration desk, ... Read more >

    Tags: action, advntrs, japan, japan2015, tokyo

    KL and the state of Asian plumbing.

    MALAYSIA | Mon, 20 Apr 2015 | By wtarmstrong | Views [630] | Comments [1]

    Greetings from glittering Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, or KL as everyone (including all the locals) seem to call it. For the geographically challenged, KL is the capital of Malaysia. The city’s most iconic feature is the Patronas Towers, which from ... Read more >

    Tags: bidet, flush, japan, kl, malaysia, patronas, squat, technology, toilets, western

    Our favorite foods from around the world

    VIETNAM | Wed, 4 Feb 2015 | By bquittem | Views [487]

    In 2014, Anne and I traveled to 11 countries in Asia over a period of about 11 months. During this time we discoverd an intense love for food! We decided that exploring local foods is our favorite way to get to know local culture while making our tastbuds ... Read more >

    Tags: japan, sri lankan food, sushi, thailand, vietnamese food, withlocals

    Pre-solo travel anxieties (2013)

    JAPAN | Sat, 31 Jan 2015 | By australian_ohime | Views [649]

    August 2013 - trip for two booked to Japan. December 2013 - breakup. It started off with no intention to travel alone then of course things change, so I decided to pluck up the courage and go alone to Japan. At the time it was mainly to show everyone ... Read more >

    Tags: japan, japan rail pass, kayaking, novice traveller, solo travel, thrifty travel

    Japanese Tourism Promoted by Cats

    JAPAN | Mon, 22 Dec 2014 | By margaretsw | Views [4254]

    From   Hello Kitty   to Mary the cat who loves boxes, Japanese have shown the world that their fascination with the four-legged creatures knows no boundaries. So,   it was only a matter of time for marketeers to take advantage ... Read more >

    Tags: cats, japan, tokyo, tourism

    The Japanese Adventure

    JAPAN | Thu, 13 Nov 2014 | By fillytheexplorer | Views [642]

    [Excuse spelling mistakes] 12/11/14 - London Weather: Overcast Temperature: 12 Distance: 9012.2 km [to Haneda] Moshi Moshi! This year I set myself a task - every year, aim to go to a location I have never been and today is my new adventure ... Read more >

    Tags: asia, blog, japan, journal, on the road, travel, travel story, traveling, travelling, trekking

    The Worst Things You Can Do In Japan

    JAPAN | Wed, 12 Nov 2014 | By travel-tips | Views [3426]

    One of the most interesting aspects of travel can be understanding the quirks and idiosyncrasies that make up a culture. But when it comes to Japan, their unique collection of modern rituals, social faux pas and unwritten rules of society could fill ... Read more >

    Tags: advice, japan, travel

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